Match dispenser system



MATCH DISPENSER SYSTEM Filed July 25, 1957 l l CLGAPETTE 56 PACKAGE T DLSPENSER l 42 P 1. G. 2

INVENTOR 056721Z @Z'ij ATTORNEYS United States Patent @hice Alifl Patented May 29, 1962 3,036,731 MATCH DISPENSER SYSTEM Robert T. Cozart, 107-09 S. Willow Ave., Tampa, Fla. Filed July 25, 1957, Ser. No. 674,202 7 Claims. (Cl. Hit-94) This invention relates to a match pack dispenser system and more particularly to a system which is used in conjunction with or `forms part of a `cigarette pack dispenser.

Heretofore, it has been common practice to incorporate in cigarette vending machines a match dispenser which automatically dispenses a pack of matches each time a pack of cigarettes is dispensed. This practice is wasteful, since many purchasers of cigarettes use cigarette lighters `and therefore do not require the matches. With the prior systems of match dispensing, it is accordingly not uncommon to find several unclaimed packs of matches lying at the discharge outlet of cigarette vending machines. Such packs of matches may be taken by subsequent cigarette purchasers or may serve as `a windfall for passers-by.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, matches are `dispensed only when desired by the cigarette purchaser and then only one pack at a time regardless of the number of packs of cigarettes previously dispensed without matches. Briefly stated, this result is achieved by conditioning the match dispenser for operation each time a pack of cigarettes is dispensed, but the matches are not actually dispensed until the dispenser is manually actuated subsequent to the aforementioned conditioning. When a pack of matches is dispensed, the dispenser system is automatically returned to its nonoperating condition `and requires yanother actuation of the cigarette dispenser to be conditioned for operation again. Once the match dispenser has been placed in operating condition, subsequent actuations of the cigarette dispenser without actuation of the match dispenser have no effect upon the match dispenser and do not lead to the dispensing of more than one pack of matches at a time.

It is accordingly a primary object of the invention to provide a unique matchY dispensing system having the foregoing advantages and desirable characteristics.

A further object of the invention is to provide `an electrically operated system of the aforesaid type which minimizes the current drain `from the power supply and which is particularly adaptable to self-contained or battery type power supplies.

Another object of the invention is to provide a system of the aforesaid type which responds to a momentary actuation of the cigarette dispenser.

An addition-al object of the invention is to provide a system of the aforesaid type which is maintained in condition for operation by a simple mechanical latch and which, therefore, does not constitute ya drain on the power supply.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a system of the aforesaid type that is extremely simple in its construction and which requires little or no maintenance.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a system of the aforesaid type which incorporates simple electro-mechanical actuating devices, preferably of the solenoid type.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a system of the aforesaid type which substantially ensures proper operation at all times.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention and the manner in which they are accomplished will become more readily apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate this embodiment and wherein:

FIGURE l is a partially structural schematic diagram of a preferred form of the invention; and

FIGURE 2 is a partial side elevation of a preferred form of dispenser mechanism utilized in the system of the invention, with a part of the outer wall broken away for explanatory purposes.

Referring to the drawings, the match dispenser per se l@ in its preferred form comprises a vertical magazine 12 of generally rectangular `cross section, which may be formed from a pair of metal channels 14 joined by front and rear sets of cross plates, one of which is shown at i6. Packs of matches 1S may be stacked between the channels fle on a pair of inwardly extending lips 20 formed at the bottom ofthe respective channels. The front and rear flanges 15 of the channels serve to guide the matches which are lgravity fed to the lips 20 as the lowermost pack is dispensed. The channel flanges are cut away at the lower front of `the dispenser as indicated at 2.2 to allow the lowermost pack of matches to be pushed olf of the lips Z0 by a plunger 24 which forms the `front extremity of an `angle lever 26. The plunger 24 may have lan S-shaped cross section so that its upper fold may embrace the lower side edge of the pack of matches to be dispensed as shown in FIGURE 2.

The upper extremity of the angle lever 26 is rolled over a pivot pin 28 which may be fixed to the rear of each channel by `cutting and bulging -a portion of each rear ange to support the ends of the pin as shown. A torsion coil spring 30 is wrapped about the pin 28 adjacent one side of the angle lever 26 :and has its ends engaging and biasing apart the rear surface of one of the channel flanges and the front surface of the angle lever.

The dispenser is actuated by an electromechanical device in the form of a solenoid T92 which may be xed to one side of the dispenser on a suitable bracket 3d. The solenoid has a core type armature 36 which may be split at its outer extremity as shown to form a yoke receiving and tightly embracing a loop on the end of a pin 38. A screw itl passes through the loop and is threaded into the arms of the yoke to clamp the pin 33 in place. The other end of pin 38 is held against the rear surface of angle lever 25 by a lbracket 42 secured to the angle lever as by soldering. The rearward movement of the angle lever 26 and the solenoid armature 36 may be limited by a keeper loop 44 secured to the bracket 34. From the foregoing it will be apparent that energization of the solenoid draws in the armature 36 and moves the plunger 24 of the angle lever forward to dispense the lowermost pack of matches.

The electromagnet 32 is arranged to be energized from a suitable source of supply such as the battery 46, one terminal of which may be grounded as shown. The operating circuit for the electromagnet passes from the other terminal of the battery through a switch 48, another switch 50, through the electromagnet, and then through another electromagnet 52 back to ground. Switch 48 has a manual actuator and is preferably a simple push button. The switch is normally open and is closed when the push button is depressed. When the button is released, a return spring (not shown) returns the switch to its normally open condition. Switch 50 is operated by another electromagnet 54 which, in the form shown, is in series with still another electromagnet 56. An energization circuit Afor electromagnets 54 and S6 may be traced from ground through battery 46, through a switch 58, through a coin mechanism 60, and then through the electromagnets 54 and 56 back to ground. Switch 58 may be of the same type as switch 48 previously described.

The coin mechanism 60 is associated with a cigarette pack dispenser 62 that is actuated by electromagnet 56. The cigarette pack dispenser may assume many different forms, but for purposes of the explanation, it may be assumed that a simple dispenser of the same general type as the match dispenser is utilized. The cigarette pack dispenser is actuated by placing a coin in the coin mechanism 60, which closes a switch (not shown) in the energization circuit of electromagnet 56, and then depressing push button S8. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that in practice the cigarette pack dispenser will have arrangements for dispensing different brands selectively but for purposes of the explanation, a single brand dispenser will suflice.

Electromagnet 54 has armature 64 which pivots about point 66 and which normally is biased counterclockwise in the form shown by a return spring 68 secured to one end of the armature. The `other end of the armature is pivotally connected to a bar 70 arranged for reciprocatory motion between suitable guides 72 in the direction of the arrows. The contacts of switch 50 may be secured to leaf springs 74, 76 separated by an insulator 78. The upper' leaf spring may pass through the upper extremity of bar 70 and ybe fixed for movement therewith. It will thus be apparent that downward movement of the bar 70 in the form shown will close the contacts of switch 56 and that upward movement of bar 70 will open the contacts.

The lower extremity of bar 70 may be hooked to form a latch 80 slidable along and under armature 82 of electromagnet 52, which is pivoted at 84 and normally biased clockwise in the form shown by a return spring 86. When the bar 70 is in its upper position, the latch 80 merely engages the side surface of armature 82, but when the bar is moved downwardly to the position shown in phantom lines, the end of armature 82 snaps over the latch 80 and prevents subsequent upward movement of the bar 70. It will thus be apparent that the locking and the unlocking of latch 80 and of the switch 50 are controlled by electromagnet 52.

In the operation of the system of the invention, the appropriate coins are placed in the coin mechanism 60, and the push button 58 is depressed momentarily to actuate electromagnet 56 and thereby dispense a pack of cigarettes from the cigarette pack dispenser 62. Since electromagnets 54 and 56 are in series, electromagnet 54 is actuated at the same time, thereby drawing down its armature 64 along with bar 70 and locking the latch 80 under the end of armature 82. This action closes the contacts of switch 50 and locks them closed. This places the match dispensing circuit in condition for operation but no matches are dispensed as yet. If matches are not desired, nothing further will happen, even though the cigarette dispenser is actuated repeatedly, since the armature 64 of electromagnet 54 is locked in its downward position and subsequent energization of electromagnet 54 has no effect. If matches are desired, push button 48 is depressed momentarily. This completes the operating circuit for the electromagnet 32 of the match dispenser through the previously closed contacts of switch 50. Accordingly, a pack of matches will be dispensed in the manner previously described. However, since electromagnets 32 and 52 are in series, electromagnet 52 will be actuated concurrently with electromagnet 32 and will draw in its armature 82 so as to release the latch 80 and allow bar 70 to move upwardly under the bias of return spring 68. This action opens the contacts of switch 50 and prevents the subsequent dispensing of matches in the absence of an additional actuation of the cigarette pack dispenser. The operation of electromagnets 32 and 52 is of course timed so that the matches are dispensed before the contacts of switch 50 are opened. Making latch 80 fairly long with respect to the stroke of electromagnet 32 will ensure proper operation.

It will thus be apparent that the match dispenser will dispense only a single pack of matches at a time, regardless of the number of packs of cigarettes that have been previously dispensed, and will dispense a pack of matches only upon manual actuation subsequent to the dispensing of a pack of cigarettes. The system of the invention is particularly suitable to self-contained power supplies of the battery type, since power is drawn only momentarily, the use of a mechanical latch eliminating the power drain which would be present if an electrical holding circuit were employed. The use of the series arrangement of electromagnets ensures that the electromagnets operate concurrently. Moreover, if the circuit to the locking electromagnet 52 became broken, the circuit to dispensing electromagnet 32 would also be broken, thereby preventing the dispensing of matches altogether.

While the invention has been shown and described in connection with a cigarette and match dispensing system, it will be apparent that the principles of the invention are applicable to other types of companion dispensers and some of the broader aspects of the invention may be applicable to other fields as well. While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in this embodiment without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, the foregoing embodiment is to be considered illustrative, rather than restrictive of the invention, and those modications which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are included therein.

I claim:

1. In a system of the type described, a cigarette pack dispenser, a match pack dispenser, an electromagnetic means for actuating said match pack dispenser, an operating circuit for said electromagnetic means including a source of supply in series with a pair of switches, means for actuating said cigarette pack dispenser to dispense a pack of cigarettes, means responsive to actuation of said cigarette pack dispenser to close one of said switches, means for closing the other of said switches, and means responsive to closing of the last-mentioned switch for opening the first-mentioned switch.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the last-mentioned means comprises an electromagnet operated concurrently with said match pack dispenser electromagnet.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for closing one of said switches comprises an electromagnet operated concurrently with said cigarette pack dispenser.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for closing the other of said switches comprises a manually actuated element.

5. In a system of the type described, a cigarette pack dispenser, a match pack dispenser, an electro-mechanical device operatively connected to said cigarette package dispenser for actuating said match pack dispenser, an operating circuit for said device including a source of supply in series with a pair of switches, the rst of which is lockable, a second electro-mechanical device for operating said first switch, a third electro-mechanical device for controlling the locking and unlocking of said first switch, a fourth electro-mechanical device operatively connected to said cigarette package dispenser for actuating said cigarette pack dispenser, an operating circuit for said fourth device, means connecting said second device to close said tir-st switch upon momentary completion of the lastmentioned operating circuit, means for causing said third device to lock said rst switch when said switch is closed, and means connecting said third device with said rst switch to unlock said rst switch upon completion of the first-mentioned operating circuit in response to closing of the second of said pair of switches.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said rst and third electromechanical devices are connected in series, and said second and fourth electro-mechanical devices are connected in series.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein said second device has a latch that is closed automatically upon actuation of that device, and wherein said means connecting said third device with said rst switch acts to release the latch upon actuation of said third device.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

